Karen has more than 22 years of experience working with individuals helping them overcome barriers to achieving the life they want to live. In 2002, Karen became interested in working with addicts and their partners. After realizing that childhood trauma is at the root of most addictions, Karen focused on receiving trainings and certifications in trauma-based treatment. She became a Certified EMDR (Eye Movement Desentization Reprocessing) therapist and was specially trained in Somatic therapy. She completed Pia Melody's trainings (author "Facing Love Addiction", "Facing Codependence", "The Intimacy Factor" and many more). Karen uses Pia's model of "developmental immaturity" and her premise "that childhood trauma is the origin of developmental immaturity". Karen is a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) trained under the auspices of Patrick Carnes, PhD.

After years of working with individuals and their partners struggling with Sex Addiction and Sex and Love Addiction, I have come to learn that there is a lot of shame and condemnation associated with this addiction. Understanding this has fueled my passion and desire to help these individuals move through their recovery.